Security is to be reviewed at Perth’s police headquarters after a force car was apparently stolen from under the noses of officers.
Allegations of an audacious break-in to the Barrack Street station have prompted a probe into how measures can be tightened.
Chief Inspector Mike Whitford, of Police Scotland’s Tayside Division, told The Courier the incident earlier this week has led to the move.
Workmen were at the police station on Thursday to fix a broken security barrier leading from the public car park to the police vehicle compound behind the building.
Mr Whitford said ongoing legal proceedings meant he could not comment in depth on the issue but stressed it is being examined.
He said: “These sort of situations are not unique to any public building. I grew up in Northern Ireland and you had police stations and public buildings that were built like a fortress, with barbed wire and security gates.
“There wasn’t an idea of the public just walking in, but there has to be a balance.
“As far as that general context goes, I think all public buildings will have insecurities. They have to balance their accessibility to the level of security.”
A 27-year-old man has been arrested and appeared in court where he was charged with breaking into Perth police station, stealing car keys and stealing a police vehicle.